Monday November 6, 6:03 am Eastern Time
Press Release
SOURCE: Cunard Line
Contract Completed For Queen Mary 2; Alstom Chantiers de L'Atlantique Will
Build World's Largest Liner for Cunard
LONDON, Nov. 6 /CNW/ -- Cunard Line today announced that a contract has
been signed with Alstom Chantiers de L'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-
Nazaire, France, to build the world's grandest and largest passenger vessel
ever constructed, Queen Mary 2.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20001106/FLM015 )
The 150,000-ton ocean liner, which is expected to enter service in late
2003, will be built at a cost of approximately $780 million (U.S). Queen
Mary 2 will have a passenger capacity of 2,620 based on two guests per
cabin and measure 1,131 feet (345 meters) in length and 237 feet (72
meters) in height from keel to funnel top, with beam of 135 feet (41
meters), making it not only the longest but also the widest passenger ship
in the world.
More than 77 percent of the accommodations will have ocean views with 72
percent offering private balconies. A diesel and gas turbine power plant
will produce 157,000 horsepower, enabling the ship to travel at speeds of
nearly 30 knots or 50 km/35 miles per hour.
"From the time we first considered purchasing Cunard, our plans always
included building a new liner," said Micky Arison, chairman and CEO of
Cunard's parent company, Carnival Corporation (NYSE: CCL - news). Arison,
who, ironically, immigrated to the United States in the 1950s aboard the
Cunard liner Mauretania, also added, "Cunard's tremendous global brand
equity was built by many famous liners and now will be carried on by Queen
Mary 2."
Patrick Bossier, chairman and CEO of Alstom Chantiers de L'Atlantique,
stated, "We are extremely pleased to have been selected for one of the most
sought-after and highly anticipated shipbuilding contracts in modern-day
cruising. Queen Mary 2 will be a piece of history and a work of art, and
perhaps the world's most famous liner even before she sails."
Commenting on the Queen Mary 2's place in Cunard history, Larry Pimentel,
Cunard president and CEO, said, "Cunard has been carrying people between
Europe and America and around the world for more than 160 years. For the
last six decades, there has always been a Cunard Queen on the sea. Queen
Mary 2 will be the heir to all that has gone before and she will be a
showcase of the art of shipbuilding in its most refined and masterful form.
Queen Mary will carry the grace and elegance of a bygone era into the
future."
Because the ship is a prototype of such unique design, contract
negotiations were unusually detailed and extensive research was required,
according to Pimentel. Teams of architects, engineers, designers and
maritime experts, led by Carnival Corporation's shipbuilding unit in
London, have been at work on the project for more than two years.
Design Highlights:
At 1,131 feet, Queen Mary 2 will stretch nearly four football fields
-- She will feature 17 decks and tower 200 feet above the waterline, equal
to the height of a 23-story building. -- Several dining venues, all
featuring ocean views, include Cunard's traditional "Grill Rooms" for the
higher stateroom categories and a restaurant for the deluxe and standard
categories. Recalling the classic dining salons of grand liners of the
past, the magnificent three-deck-high main dining room will span the full
width of the ship with a sweeping central staircase creating a dramatic
showcase for those wishing to make the ultimate grand entrance. -- Another
classic feature will be a 360-degree Promenade Deck, recreating an
environment which historically served as an important social venue aboard
transatlantic liners. The spacious deck, whose total circumference exceeds
one-third of a mile, will be lined with traditional steamer chairs while
leaving expansive room for guests to stroll. -- Interior promenades
circling several decks will provide attractive walking venues, as well. --
A large indoor swimming pool in the spa as well as four outside pools, one
of which will have a retractable glass roof. -- A planetarium on board will
offer a variety of constellation shows, as well as other presentations. --
A unique educational center will feature seven flexible classroom venues
for housing Cunard's College At Sea enrichment programs. Classes in
everything from computer training, seamanship and navigation to cooking,
art and wine appreciation, languages and photography will be taught by
expert instructors within the various rooms which are capable of being
separated or joined to adjust for varying class sizes. -- The ship's
whistle will be an exact replica of the one on the Queen Mary so that her
famous predecessor's voice will once more be heard on the ocean. -- A
luxurious space ratio of 57.25 allowing for a variety of public areas of
grand scale and some truly magnificent living spaces. -- Four MerMaid(TM)
podded propulsion units, providing nimble maneuverability. Accommodations
-- Standard cabins measuring a comfortable 194 square feet, some with
spacious eight foot-deep balconies. -- Deluxe cabins featuring balconies
and measuring 291 square feet. -- Seventy-eight suites including balconies
which measure 388 square feet. -- Six penthouses at 570 square feet
featuring butler and concierge service and private balconies. -- Four
deluxe penthouses overlooking the bow measure between 861 and 1076 square
feet can be combined together and connected with two of the suites to
create a single luxurious living area totaling more than 5,000 square feet
with balcony and concierge service. -- Five duplex apartments which are two
stories high and measure more than 1,650 square feet. Overlooking the
stern, breathtaking sea views are provided via a two-story glass wall. Each
apartment features its own gymnasium and balcony and butler and concierge
service. For the ultimate in luxury, duplex apartments can be connected to
a penthouse to create a stunning 2,220- square-foot living space, an
accommodation choice simply unrivalled on any other passenger ship. "There
are a number of other very exciting concepts in entertainment, education
and public areas, details of which will be revealed at a later date," said
Pimentel. "However, it should be clear to all, including the hundreds of
people who have already requested passage on the maiden voyage, that the
Queen Mary 2 will be the greatest liner of the new century," he added.
Cunard Line, one Of the world's most recognized brand names with a classic
British heritage, is operated by Miami-based Cunard Line Limited, which
also operates Seabourn Cruise Line. Cunard Line Limited is a unit of
Carnival Corporation. The Cunard fleet includes famed Queen Elizabeth 2 and
Caronia. The Seabourn fleet includes Seabourn Sun, Seabourn Pride, Spirit
and Legend and Seabourn Goddess I & II. Seabourn Cruise Line and Cunard
Line are members of the exclusive World's Leading Cruise Lines alliance,
which also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Costa
Cruises and Windstar Cruises. Together, these member lines share a
commitment to quality and value, offering cruise vacations that appeal to
the widest range of lifestyles and budgets and sail to some of the world's
most exciting destinations. Seabourn Cruise Line and Cunard Line represent
nearly 50 percent of the world's luxury cruise market. Additional
information can be obtained via Cunard Line's Web site at www.cunard.com or
Carnival Corporation's at www.carnival.com.
in length.
For further information
Bruce Good, 305-463-3394 or bgood@cunardmail.com, or Cristin Turner,
305-463-3055 or cturner@cunardmail.com